18 U.S. Code § 3481 - Competency of accused

In trial of all persons charged with the commission of offenses against the United States and in all proceedings in courts martial and courts of inquiry in any State, District, Possession or Territory, the person charged shall, at his own request, be a competent witness. His failure to make such request shall not create any presumption against him.

Pub. L. 105–6, § 1,Mar. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 12, provided that: “This Act [enacting section
3510 of this title, amending section
3593 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section
3510 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Victim Rights Clarification Act of 1997’.”